Coming into this past week, I originally had another article planned. Then Tuesday night happened. For the sports fans reading this, they know exactly what I am talking about. Tuesday night five minutes into his Boston Celtics career, All-Star Gordon Hayward dislocated his ankle and fractured his tibia. I have seen several other big time injuries occur including Preston Burpo, a New England Revolution goalie who broke his right leg and Kevin Ware, the college basketball player from Louisville, whose leg injury remains the most gruesome I have seen. But this one felt different. As a huge Boston Celtics fan, and a general lover of all things basketball, this injury was really devastating. But even more so, it just made me feel really terrible seeing this happen from one person to another. I will never forget the horror of hearing TNT announcer Kevin Harlan repeatedly saying, “Gordon Hayward has broken his leg, Gordon Hayward has broken his leg”. The injury appeared so bad that team doctors rushed the court, security instantly surrounded them, and the camera panned to the reactions of the other players instead. The players on the court cringed in horror, several players on the benches ran into the tunnel, and almost everyone turned away at the sight.

Your heart immediately breaks for him and his family. Gordon came to Boston to reunite with his college coach in the hopes of finishing what they started back at Butler University in 2010 and 2011 in the NCAA Tournament (which if you guys haven’t seen, is one of the best Cinderella stories of all time). He has improved every year he has been in the league and he is entering what is historically the best years of a player’s career. While at first, one watching the play could not be sure if what happened was career-ending, it thankfully looks like that is not the case as he successfully had surgery for his leg and is expected to fully come back from the injury. Regardless of this, he has a long road ahead.

In the aftermath of Hayward’s injury, I read some things online that made me pretty angry that seem to happen with a lot of these injuries. Some people said that Gordon leaving Utah for the Celtics in the offseason caused this injury. That in some way it was karma for him leaving. Others said that because Hayward is a millionaire, that people shouldn’t worry about him too much. That money solves his problems and that it was hard to feel bad for someone that made money playing basketball. Lastly, something that seems extra prevalent in society today, was the numerous memes and jokes at the expense of Hayward’s misfortune. Part of these things happening is the impact of technology and social media today, but why do people feel the need to say and do these things? Sometimes, I wonder why these people can’t just take a step back and try and understand what these people are going through. Sure they may be multi-millionaires and live lives that make it hard for us to empathize or connect with, but that doesn’t make them any less of a human or person than we are. They have worked to get to where they are, just as we have in our own lives. I’m not trying to immortalize these athletes in any way; all I am doing is saying that injuries like these are bigger than sports and they don’t deserve to be subjected to jokes or comments desensitizing them either.

It has been a difficult week for Celtics fans, but even more so for Gordon Hayward. Freak accidents like this make me realize that these are real people out there representing our cities and our pride. Though they may be more athletically talented than people such as myself, they still have feelings, families, and dreams just like us. They make many sacrifices for the team and for their city, including risking their health day in and day out for the ultimate goal of bringing banners and championships home. This isn’t how any of us thought the beginning of the season would go down, but as the common phrase goes, “You can’t win anything in October”. Here’s to wishing you a speedy recovery G!

To Gordon Hayward,

I know things haven’t gone the way you planned and that there will be a tough road to recovery ahead. Adjusting to life in Boston is hard enough, but now with this, it’s probably ten times harder. I just want you to know that Celtics fans got your back man. Your impact on the court will be sorely missed in your absence, but I know I speak for the fan base when I say we want you back one hundred percent. Sports broadcasters and others may identify you as simply 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, but you’re more than that. You give our city hope for its championship aspirations and bring excitement to the court. Boston appreciates your play and hard-work and so do I. Can’t wait to see you back on the court!